Who Pays For A Multi-Vehicle Accident?

Law Blog

When one driver causes a crash with another, it can be pretty obvious who pays. What happens when there are more than two cars involved? Here's how to figure it out so you know where to recover compensation from.

What Decides Fault in a Car Accident?

Fault is the same in a car accident whether there are two cars or two hundred. And, no, two hundred is not an exaggeration. There have been many crashes involving dozens of car when snow, rain, or other poor weather reduces visibility and the ability of drivers to react to the initial crash. It all comes down to what each driver did that was either against the law or unsafe.

For example, you might have multiple drivers who were speeding or following too closely. There's a good chance that each driver will get assigned a share of the fault.

How Can Multiple Drivers Be At Fault for a Car Accident?

Even if one mistake triggered the wreck, other actions could have made it possible for it to happen. For example, you might have a pileup where one driver pulls out in front of a second, a third rear-ends the second, and a fourth swerves into a fifth. The first driver has fault for failing to yield. The third driver has fault for following too closely. The fourth driver has fault for an improper lane change.

Who Pays What When Multiple Drivers Are at Fault?

When there are multiple drivers at fault, who pays what depends on exactly what happened. In some situations, the claim might be divided up between drivers based on their percentage of fault. In other situations, a driver who should have been able to avoid the accident even if it was started by someone else might have to fully pay for any injuries or damage they cause. What happens depends on both the facts and the law, so you'll want to ask your personal injury attorney.

How Can You Collect If You Weren't at Fault?

Just like any accident, the at-fault driver's insurance company should pay you. However, when multiple cars are involved, there's a greater chance of the other driver not having enough insurance or the insurance company trying to fight the claim. A personal injury lawyer can help you file a lawsuit to help you receive a full recovery.

To learn more about how to recover if you were in a multi-vehicle accident, contact a local personal injury lawyer today.

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19 October 2020

Choosing To Fight

Although I am far from perfect, I have focused on abiding by the local laws for the vast majority of my life. Unfortunately, about five years ago, I realized that I was being accused of a crime that I didn't commit. I thought about letting the trial run its course, but then I realized that fighting would be important to ensure my future. I teamed up with a great lawyer, and things became much easier overnight. My legal counsel told me what to do and what to avoid, and he was able to prove the facts in a court of law. This blog is all about choosing to fight charges.